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Neurology (Expert Forum)
ALS or MS??
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ALS or MS??
by Katmarie, Jan 15, 2005 12:00AM
I am a 37 year old female who has been experiencing leg aching (mostly upper) and occasional arm aching for over 2 months now. I also experience a twitching or crawling or bubbling sensation (not sure exactly how to describe it) in my muscles. This usually happens in my calves but also sometimes in my feet, upper legs and arms as well and only when I am at rest (sitting or lying down). The aching is every day and always in both legs sometimes more painful in one. Just recently I had a week or so when both my wrists were very painful and I had a difficult time not dropping things. This has since cleared up. I also have some periods where my arm or leg will jerk slightly and this always happens when I am at rest. Every now and then my right calve and foot will cramp up (toes will go down) like a Charlie horse and will feel like burning in the foot muscle for a few minutes afterwards and it will twitch as well. Of course I have been on the Internet looking for information and ALS or MS always show with these symptoms. I know that I am a bit young for ALS but I am aware that it is possible. Do these diseases affect both sides of the body at the same time or does it usually start with one leg or arm? Also, with ALS, weakness is always shown as a symptom but I am not sure exactly what that means. Could you please explain that and fascilations a little more in depth. Can it be happening in more than one limb at a time? Please help, as I am getting very scared about the possibility of mostly ALS. Is there any way this could be just plain old anxiety?
Thanks
Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jan 17, 2005 12:00AM
I cannot come to a clinical diagnosis for you over the internet
Your symptoms would be atypical for ALS and this sounds unlikely as a diagnosis
ALS usually starts with one limb before involving other limbs over a period of months. MS can involve any part of the central nervous system, so could be present both sides at once.
ALS causes weakness by causing degeneration of the motor neuron cells in the spinal cord that control our muscles - so it can cause weakness of the muscles. However a multitude of other diseases can cause 'weakness' - it is a very non-specific symptom on its own. Fasciculations are rippling movements in teh muscles that are a result of dysfunction of the nerve supply to the muscle - so they are also non-specific and can be caused not just by ALS, but also by pinched nerves, cold, exercise, and even certain medications.
I'm not sure what else could be causing your symptoms with just this information. It could even be muskuloskeletal rather than neurological, or a myopathy (especially if you are on, eg, a statin drug for cholesterol lowering).
The brief jerks can be non-specific and happen commonly to normal people, especially getting drowsy and waking up.
For reassurance, a visit to your local neurologist who can evaluate your symptoms directly and examine you, would be a good option.
Good luck.
Your symptoms would be atypical for ALS and this sounds unlikely as a diagnosis
ALS usually starts with one limb before involving other limbs over a period of months. MS can involve any part of the central nervous system, so could be present both sides at once.
ALS causes weakness by causing degeneration of the motor neuron cells in the spinal cord that control our muscles - so it can cause weakness of the muscles. However a multitude of other diseases can cause 'weakness' - it is a very non-specific symptom on its own. Fasciculations are rippling movements in teh muscles that are a result of dysfunction of the nerve supply to the muscle - so they are also non-specific and can be caused not just by ALS, but also by pinched nerves, cold, exercise, and even certain medications.
I'm not sure what else could be causing your symptoms with just this information. It could even be muskuloskeletal rather than neurological, or a myopathy (especially if you are on, eg, a statin drug for cholesterol lowering).
The brief jerks can be non-specific and happen commonly to normal people, especially getting drowsy and waking up.
For reassurance, a visit to your local neurologist who can evaluate your symptoms directly and examine you, would be a good option.
Good luck.
Thanks